CEA, PSA and Other Biomarkers in Nipple Fluid for Early Cancer Detection

This proposal will attempt to develop nipple fluid-based test(s) for early breast cancer detection. If successful, these non-invasive breast nipple fluid studies could complement mammography, particularly for women under age 50. Our studies in breast nipple fluid have examined 2 tumor biomarkers, carcinoembryonic antigen and prostate-specific antigen (CEA and PSA). In clinically cancer-free women, CEA titers vary widely in 215 breast nipple fluid samples. The median CEA is 1,100 ng/ml,>200-fold higher than normal serum levels. Likewise, PSA median level in 148 nipple fluids is 55 ng/ml, when serum PSA is virtually 0 in women.